2022-23 Admissions Guidebook

MISSION

The mission of Incarnate Word Academy is to challenge young women of faith to achieve their God-given potential as academically successful Women of the Word, following the example of Jesus, the Incarnate Word, by promoting human dignity, thereby empowering themselves and others to make a positive impact on our world.

PHILOSOPHY

The philosophy of Incarnate Word Academy is rooted in the mission of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. Our task is to make visible the love of God as revealed in Jesus, the Incarnate Word, by promoting human dignity. The mission challenges us to raise the consciousness of our school community, to respect cultural diversity, to respond to the needs of the poor, to work for peace and justice, and to be ecologically responsible.

The essence of the Incarnation gives religious significance to the humanizing work of education to which we are dedicated. The college preparatory curriculum develops the individual by encouraging academic achievement and personal growth.

CORE BELIEFS

To follow the example of Jesus

To foster academically successful young women

To promote human dignity

To empower and challenge young women

To make a positive impact on our world

CCVI IDENTITY AND MISSION

The Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word is an apostolic, religious congregation of the pontifical right. It has as its charism the call to make the love of God as shown in the Incarnation a real and tangible presence in the world today. The Sisters recognize the mystery of the Incarnation as the foundation of their charism, lives and spirituality.

The mission of the congregation is to actualize the saving and healing love of the Incarnate Word by promoting human dignity… by responding in faith to the needs of the church.

CCVI ministries across the globe seek to transform people and the community by promoting human dignity in all forms. In addition to health, pastoral and social ministries, the Sisters work as administrators and teachers in all levels of education from kindergarten to university. In addition to Incarnate Word Academy, the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word count the University of the Incarnate Word, Incarnate Word High School and St. Anthony Catholic High School (all located in San Antonio, TX) among their educational ministries in the United States.

GRADUATION

Service Program: Every student completes at least 120 hours of service before graduation from the Academy, 60 of which are accomplished during a two-week period during her junior year. The goal of the service program is to inspire Women of the Word to become advocates for peace and justice while working among marginalized people in a variety of settings.

Freshman

COLLEGE

INFORMATION: The Class of 2022

Class of 2022 College Matriculations:

Bellarmine University Bradley University Columbia College (2)

Czech University of Life Sciences - Prague

DePaul University (2) Drury University

Hampton University Jackson State University Lindenwood University (3) Loyola University Chicago Maryville University (5)

McKendree University

Michigan State University Millikin University

Missouri State University (6)

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Northern Kentucky University Quincy University Rockhurst University Saint Louis Community College

Saint Louis University (5)

Southeast Missouri State University (3) Southern Illinois University (Carbondale)

Southern Illinois University (Edwardsville) (2) St. Charles Community College

Tennessee State University (6) Texas Southern University

The New School

Truman State University (3)

University of Arkansas (2)

University of California (Los Angeles)

University of Central Florida

University of Kansas (2)

University of Kentucky (3)

University of Mississippi

University of Missouri (Columbia) (13)

University of Missouri (Kansas City)

University of Missouri (St Louis) (2)

University of Southern California

Washington University in St. Louis (2)

Xavier University of Louisiana (2)

Students may earn college credit through a variety of courses at Incarnate Word Academy. Credit is offered through the University of Missouri-St. Louis and St. Louis University’s 1818 Advanced College Credit Program. In addition, the Academy offers several Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Colleges and universities may grant course credit to students who elect to take the AP exam at the completion of the course.

SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION

Incarnate Word academy is proud to offer merit–based scholarships in a variety of categories. Criteria for eligibility are based on a variety of factors, but may include:

• Prior academic performance and future academic promise.

• Potential of the student to contribute to the Incarnate Word Academy community.

• Demonstrated interest in joining the Incarnate Word Academy community.

Please refer to the following list of scholarships for specific information regarding each scholarship.

SCHOLARSHIPS TO BE AWARDED:

The following scholarships are awarded to incoming freshmen based on the criteria listed. These scholarships are awarded automatically, students need not apply.

Some of the scholarships listed in this section are renewable for 4 years, and some are onetime, nonrenewable awards. Scholarships that are non-renewable are highlighted in yellow.

This table is a useful tool to help determine your daughter’s potential scholarship award

The Mother Peter Nolasco Founder's Scholarship is for $5,000 and is RENEWABLE for four years. The recipient must:

• Have received a standardized test National Percentile Rank (NPR) of 90 or above in the Core Composite for 7th and 8th grades.

• Have A's and B's on report cards in all subjects for 7th and 8th grade.

• Maintain a 3.7 grade point average for all 7 semesters at IWA.

• Be good citizen of the school.

All incoming freshmen meeting these qualifications will be awarded a Founder's Scholarship.

The John and Audrey Steinfeld Academic Endowed Scholarship is for $3,500 and is RENEWABLE for four years for a student who is just shy of qualifying for the Founder’s Scholarship. The recipient must:

• Have received a standardized test National Percentile Rank (NPR) of 85-89 in the Core Composite for 7th and 8th grades.

• Have A's and B's on report cards in the core subjects of Math, Reading, and English for 7th and 8th grade.

• Maintain 3.0 grade point average for all 7 semesters at IWA.

• Be a good citizen of the school.

All incoming freshmen meeting these qualifications will be awarded a Steinfeld Scholarship.

The Lambert E. Behlmann Memorial Scholarship is for $2,500 and is RENEWABLE for four years. The recipient must:

• Have received a standardized test National Percentile Rank (NPR) of 83 - 84 in the Core Composite for 7th and 8th grades.

• Have A’s and B’s on the report cards for the core subjects of Math, Reading, and English for 7th and 8th grade.

• Have maintained an excellent attendance record in 7th and 8th grade.

• Maintain 3.0 grade point average for all 7 semesters at IWA.

• Be a good citizen of the school.

2 qualified incoming freshmen will be awarded a Lambert E. Behlmann Memorial Scholarship.

The President’s Academic Scholarship is for $1,000 and is RENEWABLE for four years. The recipient must:

• Have received a standardized test National Percentile Rank (NPR) of 75-82 in the Core Composite for 7th and 8th grades.

• Have A’s and B’s on the report cards for the core subjects of Math, Reading and English for 7th and 8th grade.

• Maintain a 3.0 grade point average for all 7 semesters at IWA.

• Be a good citizen of the school.

All incoming freshmen meeting these qualifications will be awarded either a President’s Academic Scholarship or an Alumnae Academic Scholarship (see below.)

The Alumnae Academic Scholarship is for $1,000 and is RENEWABLE for four years. The recipient must:

• Have received a standardized test National Percentile Rank (NPR) of 75-82 in the Core Composite for 7th and 8th grades.

• Have A’s and B’s on the report cards for the core subjects of Math, Reading and English for 7th and 8th grade.

• Maintain a 3.0 grade point average for all 7 semesters at IWA.

• Be a good citizen of the school.

All incoming freshmen meeting these qualifications will be awarded either an Alumnae Academic Scholarship or a President’s Academic Scholarship (see above.)

The Elizabeth Porter Larson Scholarship is a onetime, non-renewable award of $1,000. The recipient must:

• Have received a standardized test National Percentile Rank (NPR) of 80 or above in the Core Composite for 7th and 8th grade.

• Have A's and B's on the report cards for the core subjects of Math, Reading and English for 7th and 8th grade.

• Maintain a 3.0 grade point average.

• Be a good citizen of the school

1 Elizabeth Porter Larson Scholarship will be awarded.

The Alumnae Legacy Scholarship is a onetime, non-renewable award of $1,000 to every daughter or granddaughter of an IWA alumna.

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR WHICH YOU MAY

APPLY:

Incoming freshmen must apply for the following scholarships. Please follow the directions listed below when applying for scholarships. All scholarships listed on this page require the applying student to submit an essay. Please note:

1. All essays must be submitted via email or mailed to IWA by December 9, 2022.

2. When submitting essays via email, each essay must be submitted in a digital format (.doc or .pdf is preferred.)

3. Each essay MUST contain the student's name and name of the scholarship for which she is applying.

Some of the scholarships listed on this page are renewable for 4 years, and some are onetime, non-renewable awards. Scholarships that are non-renewable are highlighted in light yellow.

The Virginia McBride Bruns Endowed Scholarship A student who qualifies for the John and Audrey Steinfeld Academic Endowed Scholarship, but does not meet the qualifications for the Mother Peter Nolasco Founder’s Scholarship, may apply for the Virginia McBride Bruns Endowed Scholarship. The Virginia McBride Bruns Scholarship is for $4,000 and is RENEWABLE for four years. The scholarship is competitive and is awarded each year to one student based on a combination of academic achievement, proven leadership, and demonstrated financial need. The recipient must:

• Have A’s and B’s on report cards in all subjects for 7th and 8th grade.

• Maintain a 3.7 grade point average for all 7 semesters at IWA.

• Have been in a leadership or participating role in her parish and/or school activities.

• Qualify for Financial Assistance based on analysis by FACTS.

• The student must submit a three or four paragraph essay on one of the following two themes:

- What a Catholic education at Incarnate Word Academy would mean to her as she develops her role as a Catholic young woman in our secular world. OR

- How she, as a student of Incarnate Word Academy, plans to contribute to the quality of life in her community now and in the future.

1 Virginia McBride Bruns Endowed Scholarship will be awarded.

The Dick, Betty and Rick Daykin Scholarship is a full scholarship renewable for four years and is available to children of full-time employees (2 years or more) of the St. Louis County Department of Highways. The recipient must:

• Be a current IWA student, or a student entering the school as either a first-time freshman or transfer student.

• Maintain good academic standing at IWA.

• Maintain eligibility via parent's ongoing employment with the St. Louis County Department of Highways.

• Complete and sign the scholarship application available through the St. Louis County Department of Highways.

Contact the Director of Admissions for more information.

The Katie Campanella Visual Arts Scholarship (Drawing/Painting/Photography) is a $2,000 award

RENEWABLE for four years. The recipient must:

• Maintain a 3.0 grade point average for all 7 semesters at IWA.

• Participate in the area of Visual Arts and demonstrate adequate growth in Visual Arts each year at IWA.

• Write a 4 paragraph essay which contains:

- A description of the student’s background in the area of Visual Arts.

- A description of the student’s Visual Art’s strengths and areas of needed growth.

- The student must answer the question: What do you wish to accomplish in Visual Arts by your senior year?

- Accompanying the essay, each applicant must submit at least three original pieces of art work (photographs of the works of art are acceptable).

1 Katie Campanella Visual Arts Scholarship will be awarded.

The Performing Arts Scholarship (Drama/Speech/Theater/Dance) is a $2,000 award

RENEWABLE for four years. The recipient must:

• Maintain a 3.0 grade point average for all 7 semesters at IWA.

• Participate in the area of Performing Arts and demonstrate adequate growth in Performing Arts each year at IWA.

• Write a 4 paragraph essay which contains:

- A description of the student’s background in the Performing Arts.

- A description of the student’s Performing Art’s strengths and areas of needed growth.

- The student must answer the question: What do you wish to attain by your senior year in Performing Arts?

1 Performing Arts Scholarship will be awarded.

The Music Scholarship (Choral/Instrumental) is a $2,000 award RENEWABLE for four years.

The recipient must:

• Maintain a 3.0 grade point average for all 7 semesters at IWA.

• Participate in the area of Music and demonstrate adequate growth in Music each year at IWA.

• Write a 4 paragraph essay which contains:

- A description of the student’s background in Music.

- A description of the student’s musical strengths and areas of needed growth.

- The student must answer the question: What do you wish to accomplish in Music by your senior year?

1 Music Scholarship will be awarded.

The Dr. Randy Scholarship is a $1,000 award RENEWABLE for four years. The recipient must:

• Be a student in an accredited public middle school.

• Be in good academic standing in 7th and 8th grades.

• Have few absences or tardies indicated in her academic record.

• Have a good discipline record- without incident.

• Write a one-page essay answering the following question:

- What do I want to accomplish at IWA in four years?

1 Dr. Randy Scholarship will be awarded.

The IWA Golden Girls Scholarship is a $1,000 award RENEWABLE for four years. The recipient must:

• Be a student in an accredited Catholic elementary or middle school.

• Be in good academic standing in 7th and 8th grades.

• Have few absences or tardies indicated in her academic record.

• Have a good discipline record - without incident.

• Write a one-page essay answering the following question:

- What do I want to accomplish at IWA in four years?

1 IWA Golden Girls Scholarship will be awarded.

The Incarnate Word Foundation Theology Scholarship is a onetime, non-renewable award of $1,000. The recipient must:

• Be in good academic standing in 7th and 8th grades.

• Be involved in, but not limited to, the following: a church youth organization, a bible study group, volunteers as a mass reader, a mass server, or a member of the church choir.

• Write a 3-4 paragraph essay on the importance of faith in her life.

1 Incarnate Word Foundation Scholarship will be awarded.

The Sister Liz Healy Scholarship is a onetime, non-renewable award of $1,000 based on the community service a student has completed from 6th through 8th grades. The recipient must:

• Be in good academic standing in 7th and 8th grades.

• Write an essay of 3-4 paragraphs containing:

- A description of the student’s community service experiences.

- The name of each agency must be included in the essay.

- The total number of community service hours for each service experience.

- An explanation of why the student believes she should be given the award.

1 Sr. Liz Healy Scholarship will be awarded.

The Leadership Scholarship is a onetime, non-renewable award of $1,000. The recipient must:

• Be in good academic standing in 7th and 8th grades.

• Write a 3-4 paragraph essay explaining her leadership and service experiences and how these experiences have affected her life.

1 Leadership Scholarship will be awarded.

The Clare Brosnan Genovese & Jane Brosnan Farrell Scholarship is a onetime, nonrenewable award of $1,000. The recipient must:

• Be in good academic standing in 7th and 8th grades.

• Write a 3-4 paragraph essay which contains:

- An explanation of how wellness of the mind, body, and spirit is an important and integral component of her life.

1 Clare Brosnan Genovese and Jane Brosnan Farrell Scholarship will be awarded.

The Taylor Rozier Legacy Scholarship is a onetime, non-renewable award of $1,000. The recipient must:

• Be in good academic standing in 7th and 8th grades.

• Write a 3-4 paragraph essay which contains:

- A description of the elementary school or parish activities the student participated in during grades 6-8.

- An explanation of how the student’s participation was a benefit to the school or parish.

1 Taylor Rozier Legacy Scholarship will be awarded.

INDIVIDUALIZED FAMILY TUITION: ACCESS IWA

What is Access IWA?

Access IWA is an individualized family tuition program that reflects the overall mission and vision of Incarnate Word Academy. We believe that diversity of all kinds, including economic diversity, enriches the education we provide for all of our students. IWA seeks accessibility for all families - particularly those who may feel overlooked by other high schools.

We expect each family to contribute financially to their daughter’s education. Many families pay the full cost of tuition, but we also realize that investing in an Incarnate Word Academy education is a stretch for many families. Through Access IWA, families can apply for reduced tuition based on their specific financial picture.

How does Access IWA work?

The Access IWA process is thoughtful, confidential and individualized.

• Apply to IWA: Your first step in the Access IWA process is to complete the Incarnate Word Academy Online Application (iwacademy.org/Application) and provide us with your daughter’s transcripts and standardized test scores (see note on page 5.) This information will help us determine eligibility for any automatic academic scholarships she may receive.

• Complete a Financial Statement: Next, please complete the FACTS Assessment (https://online.factsmgt.com/signin/42X98) which helps us understand your family’s total financial picture. As part of the process, you will be prompted to upload specific supporting documents, and we encourage you to offer narrative comments whenever possible (you can save, close, and re-open your file as often as needed.) Factors such as income, assets, expenses, family size, unusual expenses, and more are considered in this eligibility analysis.

• Receive a Preliminary Range of Tuition: After we receive a complete FACTS Assessment, including all documents, we carefully review it to determine a tuition that we feel is sustainable for both your family and the school. Based upon your calculated need, and your daughter’s transcripts and test scores, we can provide you with an expected range of tuition (high and low.) This will give you a better idea of your family’s educational investment, so you can have this important information before you make your high school decision.

Helping families more easily and quickly learn of their contribution is the goal of the Access IWA program. Starting this conversation with IWA sooner than later will benefit both parties. If you successfully complete the Access IWA process before December 9, 2022, an official notification about your tuition will be mailed with your daughter’s acceptance letter on January 27, 2023.

Admission to Incarnate Word Academy is based on the following factors:

• Standardized Test Scores

• Academic Performance

• School Attendance/Tardies

• Student involvement in Community Service, Extracurriculars, and Activities

• Interview with a Member of the IWA Administration

Admissions Checklist:

Incarnate Word Academy Application for Admission:

Submission of our online application is required and must be received by Incarnate Word Academy. Go to iwacademy.org/Application to submit your application online.

Transcript Release Form OR Archdiocesan Application Intent Form (for parochial school students):

Parents must authorize the release of student information from your current school to IWA. The IWA Transcript Release Form is found on our website.

Scholarship Essay (optional):

IWA currently offers multiple scholarship opportunities to applicants entering the 9th grade. Go to iwacademy.org/IWAScholarships to learn more about IWA’s automatic and competitive scholarship opportunities. All essays for competitive scholarships will be due to IWA no later than December 9, 2022.

**To receive your official acceptance letter on January 27, 2023, please complete the IWA Application for Admission and Transcript Release Form before December 9, 2022.

THE INCARNATE WORD ACADEMY PRAYER

We praise your name Lord Jesus Christ, Incarnate Word of God.

By your incarnation you dignified us.

Open our eyes that we may recognize you in one another.

Help us, O God, to be the loving presence of Jesus, the Incarnate Word, today.

Praised be the Incarnate Word! Forever, Amen.